Cell-case



(.No Model.)

D. QUINLAN. CELL CASE.

No. 449,332. Patented Mar. 31, 1891..

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DENNIS QUINLAN, OF BURDETTE, KANSAS.

CELL-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters IEatent No. 449,332, dated March 31, 1891.

Application filed November 15, 1890. Serial No. 371,493. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DENNIS QUINLAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bun dette, in the county of Pawnee and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Egg-Grates, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improvement in cell-cases for eggs, fruit, &c.; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and afterward definitely pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, compact, and easily-handled crate or case for eggs, fruit, or other article for transportation requiring separation and preventing movement of the same.

A further object of my invention is to provide a method for the purposes referred to, which will greatly facilitate the packing of the articles and lessen the cost of transportation of the cases.

I attain these objects by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views, in which-= Figure 1 is a perspective view of my crate opened. Fig. 2 is a detail view of a section of cells filled. Fig. 3 is an end view of the case, and Fig. a isa perspective of the casing.

In the drawings, A. represents an extended backing-strip of paper or other flexible material, to one end of which is secured aseries of cells B. These cells are preferably constructed of paperboard formed in strips extending, when straightened, across the back, and are united by suitable staples O or other desirable means alternately at differentpoints on their upper edges only, the end strip of the cells being secured to the end of the backing at its upper edge. The series of cells are preferably made so that when filled they will extend nearly the length of the back.

In filling the case with eggs I place them end up with the large or butt end at the bot tom. I then roll the ease up into a spiral with an overlapping end, as shown in Fig. 3, and finally place the case in a wooden case D, having square tops cl and slatted sides d, so that the crates may be laid on their sides. WVhen the case is rolled up, the under edges of the cells are permitted to open slightly, ow in g to the fastening being made near the tops,

and as the radius of the outer portion of the coils is greater than the inner the butt-ends of the eggs are placed so as to occupy this position, thereby permitting a close winding of the case. In making the first coil it is necessary to place a cover F over the tops of the eggs, the backing forming a coverafter the first coil is made throughout the entire case. The end of the case is carried beyond the cells, so as to provide a flap to cover the end cells. When the cells are filled, they will be extended and the end drawn in and leave the edges of the back extending beyond the cells. These edges may then be bent over the ends of the cells and close the same, preventing dust and foreign matter from geting therein. After the cells have been rolled up there will be of necessity, owing to the thickness of the case, a space at the center. This space I fill with independent strips of cells E, which are previously filled with eggs and slipped into the space, which may in some cases require three or more strips to completely fill. the same.

It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the particular material specified nor the identical form of cell, as it is obvious that many minor changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A cell-case consisting of a flexible backing and a series of united collapsible trans verse rows of cells secured to the backing and adapted to be rolled up spirally, the respective rows being united at their upper edges, their united widthwhen extended being less than the length of the back, substantially as described.

2. A spiral cell-case consisting of a flexible back, and a series of cells secured to the back and united to each other at their upper edge only, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DENNIS QUINLAN. Witnesses:

IRA M. CORNWALL, L. S. BACON. 

